Manufacturing delays that led to a nationwide shortage of oseltamivir oral suspension have been resolved, according to a spokeswoman for Genentech, which makes the drug.
"We now anticipate having sufficient supply of both the liquid and capsule forms ... to meet demand for this flu season," Tara Iannuccillo said in an interview.
Ms. Iannuccillo said that distributors who supply the product to retail pharmacies now have access to it. However, she added, "Given the widespread flu activity in 35 states nationally, there may be some instances where a local pharmacy may not have the liquid formulation in stock."
There are no shortages of the oseltamivir capsules, which are available in 30 mg, 45 mg, and 75 mg. Patients older than 1 year can be dosed correctly using the 30 mg and 45 mg capsules, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
"For those patients who cannot swallow capsules, the capsules can be opened and the contents may be mixed with chocolate syrup or some other thick, sweet liquid," FDA noted.
Alternatively, a suspension can be compounded using the 75-mg oseltamivir capsules. The instructions are on the package insert, and also available on Genetech’s website.